Formal updo for really long hair

[Schnee]

I need a more formal updo for my hair, but it's hard to find something that works for my length. I've been thinking about braided buns, but maybe a different way of doing them? because of my amount of hair updos can easily look too much on my head, so rather something more flat on my head? I really want a sleek look though...:o

[socks]

I used to have a similar problem with updos. I can make my hair fairly compact in casual updos, but more formal updos tend to start sagging quickly and braided updos tend to be huge. I've tried a few sleeker updos that work fairly well, however. The first is a variation on the French twist; you essentially have to loosely roll or fold your hair to reduce the excess length before you begin twisting it and, when finished twisting, you have to find some good way of securing it (hair sticks usually aren't enough). To make the second, you basically make a cinnamon bun, then fold it over and secure it with hairsticks. I have a picture of the second updo in my albums.

[Schnee]

Thanks for the input. I'll try the cinnamon bun trick. The french twist variations I've more or less given up. I never manage to secure them and they tend to look like something is growin out of the back of my head... :p

[Xandergrammy]

What about a braided beehive? I know there are a couple of tutorials in the archives and maybe someone could help you out with it here. It's a sleek, flat to the head look and can be made formal by the accessories you use.

[AprilElf]

Do you like rope braids?
You could maybe do some variation on swanns' Rope Braid Bun (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=5078). Maybe drape/wrap the the braids (as many as you feel like doing) loosely rather than bunning if you don't want a big fat bun?

ETA: My variation on this is shown in my avatar (just remembered!).

[eresh]

Or maybe the Cameobun?
I didn't know it had that name, but there's pics in my blog

Or something like this (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=38&pictureid=11257)?
With two braids it divides flatter

[Schnee]

What about a braided beehive? I know there are a couple of tutorials in the archives and maybe someone could help you out with it here. It's a sleek, flat to the head look and can be made formal by the accessories you use.

Yes, I've sort of tried it out, but it looked huge on my head. My braids are very thick, so it easily bulk up. I'll try again, maybe more thinner braids will work better. Initially I tried with two.


Do you like rope braids?
You could maybe do some variation on swanns' Rope Braid Bun (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=5078). Maybe drape/wrap the the braids (as many as you feel like doing) loosely rather than bunning if you don't want a big fat bun?

ETA: My variation on this is shown in my avatar (just remembered!).

I like your updos, and have been considering the one in your avatar.;) Still don't manage to make it so neat lloking...


Or maybe the Cameobun?
I didn't know it had that name, but there's pics in my blog

Or something like this (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=38&pictureid=11257)?
With two braids it divides flatter

Nice updo. My braids don't taper like that, but if I make 1-2 separate accent braids it could work.:)

I guess I have to use the weekend to test different styles. More suggestions are welcome! :)

[physicschick]

Here (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=382&pictureid=3008) is my braided beehive with 4 braids. That's how Maid Marian does it (see her photo thread on the archive), and her hair is maybe ankle length and very thick.

Also, take a look at the picture in this thread (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?p=862). It looks like there's a French twist in back with a high cinnabun on top. This particular example probably uses a curling iron and/or fake hair, but I've been wondering if this could be a way to get the French twist style and still have a way to use the extra length. When I tried it myself, the French twist didn't eat up enough length and my cinnabun was still huge, but maybe you can figure something out.

Finally, any of the updos you normally do will look fancier with some accent braids.

[angelthadiva]

When I skimmed my mouse over the thread, the caption popped up...And not making the connection between name, I though..."hmmm, I wonder how long her hair is..."

Bwhahaha, then I clicked on the thread, and realized who you were--I know you by the back of your head... :thud: Then I understood your dilema! :flower:

I too, plan to try out a couple of styles...Look in the article section, there are two that I plan on trying myself...One is Mira's crown braid w/a bun (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=62), and by Isilya a woven bun (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=54) :flower:

Post your results for inspiration for the rest of us! :flower:

[dor3girl]

I need a more formal updo for my hair, but it's hard to find something that works for my length. I've been thinking about braided buns, but maybe a different way of doing them? because of my amount of hair updos can easily look too much on my head, so rather something more flat on my head? I really want a sleek look though...:o

I think you should go with something simple. .. like a dutch or french braid with flowers pinned randomly down the braid...if you feel creative you could make the hanging braid into a hangman's noose for all the people who hate long hair! *giggle*

[physicschick]

Also, take a look at the picture in this thread (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?p=862). It looks like there's a French twist in back with a high cinnabun on top. This particular example probably uses a curling iron and/or fake hair, but I've been wondering if this could be a way to get the French twist style and still have a way to use the extra length. When I tried it myself, the French twist didn't eat up enough length and my cinnabun was still huge, but maybe you can figure something out.

Okay, I tried this again, putting more hair in the French twist. The problem is that what's left is all different lengths, so I can't bun it easily. Now I feel sorry for people with layers. :)

[Peggy E.]

Having just gone through your pics, I would think schnee will find lots of choices for great formal updos from those shown. Beautiful, eresh!

[Peggy E.]

Okay, I tried this again, putting more hair in the French twist. The problem is that what's left is all different lengths, so I can't bun it easily. Now I feel sorry for people with layers. :)

What if you did an upside-down French braid and worked the bun on the top stemming from this? You might not have quite as much bulk left to work with....

Just a thought, for I've no idea. Gorgeous, though!

[physicschick]

Peggy, I bet that would look great, but an upside down French braid ain't happening on me. :lol: Maybe Schnee is more coordinated.

[Schnee]

Hm..upside down french braiding? Not seeing it happening... :p

I tried a variation of Hypnotica's french twist from another thread with a log roll. It has got potential, but then my DH declared he didn't like it... "it looks weird"..:rolleyes:

[Nevermore]

What about getting a string of fake pearls (I've seen good fakes for this purpose at walmart) and braiding or twisting them into your hair? If you got a VERY long string, you could make part of it into a headband-y looking thing a bit past your hairline, then do a french/dutch braid on either side which includes part of the string, that meets at the nape and continues in one braid (6 strand or something similar?) with the pearls til the end?

I hope that made sense, because I think it would look fantastic with hair the color/length of yours.

[Magdalene]

What's the occasion? The event and type of dress I'm wearing makes a difference...

[Schnee]

What's the occasion? The event and type of dress I'm wearing makes a difference...

Well, someone had to ask... ;) It's a before lunch wedding...

And no, there is no big, white dress involved. :)

[Bucatini]

Schnee is this YOUR wedding we are talking about? Congratulations!

In your photos your dutch braids bunned look very beautiful. And elegant. Maybe not as special or fancy as you're looking for but I think it's very very nice.

[Schnee]

In your photos your dutch braids bunned look very beautiful. And elegant. Maybe not as special or fancy as you're looking for but I think it's very very nice.

Yes, the dutch braid bun is my fall back if I find nothing else. Maybe it's best to go with something familiar that I know works well for important events. I'll be playing with some variations during the week. :)

[WritingPrincess]

Have you tried the log roll?

[wonderlywroughte]

I really think the braided beehive is lovely and elegant. I did mine with 4 braids, and the braids were thin enough that it didn't look very big and bulky. Of course, my hair is shorter and also thinner than yours. But maybe give it a try? :D

[anna1850]

My hair's nowhere near as long as yours but how about braiding it and wrapping it around your head and pinning it (a la Yulia Tymoshenko (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yulia_Tymoshenko)) and then bunning any leftover hair at the back.

I don't think I'll be able to wrap my braid around my head until somewhere between TB and classic so there would be a lot less bulk to deal with.

[Flying Betty]

What about something like this? (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=1432&pictureid=16853)

It's a French twist, where I took the rest of the hair and wrapped it all the way around the twist. I have a lot less hair than you do, so I'm not sure how well it would scale but I can see it working on really long hair.

[Patty lou]

Hi Schnee
In your photo album the dutchbraids into a bun or the other picture of the braided bun look great , maybe you could fancy the bun witha few small flowers of sparkling hair pins or hair pins with fake pearls ??????

Just a couple of options.

Oh yes the braided buns look absolutely beautiful.


Patty lou